Jonathan Groff joins off-Broadway cast of Hamilton

The Public Theater has announced that actor and 'Glee' star Jonathan Groff will join the cast of Lin-Manuel Miranda's new musical Hamilton at Astor Place, replacing Brian D'Arcy James in the role of King George from 3 March 2015.

The production has extended its limited engagement for a third time, and will run at the Public's Astor Place through 3 May 2015, where it is now sold out. Producers of the show announced earlier this week that it would transfer to Broadway's Richard Rodgers Theatre, beginning previews on 13 July with an official opening on 6 August 2015.

Brian D'Arcy James departs the production in order to star in the Broadway premiere of Something Rotten at the St James Theatre.

Jonathan Groff has previous starred in the Public Theater's productions of 'Hair' and 'The Bacchae'. His Broadway credits include the original cast of 'Spring Awakening'. He has appeared as a regular character in the TV series 'Glee', as well as the new HBO show 'Looking'. His film credits include 'American Sniper', 'HBO's The Normal Heart', and Disney's 'Frozen'.

Hamilton began performances on 20 January with an official opening on 17 February 2015. It opened to strong reviews, with critics praising Miranda's score as well as the performances by the energetic cast.

Inspired by Ron Chernowthe's biography of Alexander Hamilton, which traces the life of Hamilton, an illegitimate, largely self-taught orphan from the Caribbean who rose to become George Washington's aide-de-camp and the first Treasury Secretary of the United States. The musical features a cast of historical figures that includes George Washington, Aaron Burr, James Madison, and Thomas Jefferson.

Groff will join the current cast of Hamilton which includes Lin-Manuel Miranda as Alexander Hamilton, Daveed Diggs (Marquis De Lafayette, Thomas Jefferson), Renee Elise Goldsberry (Angelica Schuyler), Christopher Jackson (George Washington), Anthony Ramos (John Laurens, Phillip Hamilton), Leslie Odom Jr. (Aaron Burr), Phillipa Soo (Eliza Hamilton), with Carleigh Bettiol, Ariana DeBose, Sydney James Harcourt, Sasha Hutchings, Thayne Jasperson, Stephanie Klemons, Jon Rua, Seth Stewart, Betsy Struxness, Ephraim Sykes, and Voltaire Wade-Greene.

Hamilton is directed by Thomas Kail, with music direction and orchestrations by Alex Lacamoire, choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler, scenic design by David Korins, costumes by Paul Tazewell, lighting by Howell Binkley, and sound design by Nevin Steinberg.

The musical is being produced by The Public Theater with the support of Jeffrey Seller, Sander Jacobs, and Jill Furman.

- by Dom O'Hanlon